Jim White claims there’s been a twist in Newcastle United manager search

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Newcastle United have been linked with numerous managers in recent weeks.

And following Steve Bruce’s departure from St James’ Park, speculation has ramped up considerably.

Newcastle are under new ownership, with a Saudi-led consortium taking over the club earlier this month.

Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), which holds an 80 percent stake in Newcastle, reportedly has assets worth $360 billion.

The Magpies are effectively the richest club in world football and, as such, big changes are expected at St James’ Park.

With Bruce’s exit by mutual consent, a new manager is definitely on the cards now.

The likes of Paulo Fonseca, Lucien Favre, Frank Lampard and Eddie Howe have been linked with the Newcastle reins.

“It is my understanding”

However, talkSPORT host Jim White claimed on Thursday that any appointment will likely be on a short-term basis.

Given Newcastle’s current relegation battle, the new owners want to secure Premier League safety this season, and then reassess in the summer.

Therefore, they’re apparently seeking an English manager with plenty of experience in the competition, according to White.

“Some more information has come my way late last night,” he said.

“It is my understanding that, at the moment, the appointment of any new manager will only be on a temporary basis. It will only be until the end of the season.

“The Saudis, we are assured, are extremely concerned about losing their Premier League status and it goes with the bad publicity and the Premier League sponsorship suspension – that has all got to be sorted out as well.

“The feeling is there has got to be a proper reboot come summer and the next appointment would be an English manager with Premier League experience to try and ensure safety.

“Thereafter they might go big. If they stay in the Premier League then they might go big and that might be a foreign manager.”

Newcastle are currently 19th in the Premier League table and are yet to win a game in the top flight.

Bruce’s last game in charge saw the Magpies lose 3-2 to Spurs at SJP.